WATERTOWN, N.Y.
— Dozens
of volunteers and staff from the Disabled Persons Action
Organization worked into the weekend to complete the
initial phase of an outdoor area described as a “sensory
oasis” for its children and adult clients.

Executive Director
Cynthia L. FitzPatrick said the agency sought the design
and planning work of Parkitects Inc., Lansing, N.Y., which
in the past has designed a daycare center at Fort Drum and
playground at Dexter Elementary School.

“Theres going to be a lot of equipment for kids with
disabilities, autism, downs syndrome and anybody with a
disability,” Mrs. FitzPatrick said. “Most of the stuff
out here is going to be tactile and it’s going to be
good for stimulation.”

“It will help develop
fine motor and gross motor skills,” Mrs. FitzPatrick
said. “This will also create a calming effect for those
that do get overstimulated and there’s things that they
can play with that will help them calm down a little
bit.”

A “true community build,” the land excavation was bid
out to Capital Construction & Development Corp.,
Watertown, and volunteers began digging holes and
assembling equipment beginning 2 p.m. Friday.

“I would really like to stress the thank you to the
community for supporting the agency and letting them know
it’s their involvement with coming to our concerts and
paying for those tickets that got us to here,” she said.

The
sensory oasis is expected to serve about 400 of the
DPAO’s clients in Jefferson County.

Anybody
that comes to use it is going to benefit because for one
thing, we all know it’s healthy to play outside and it
will get people outside much easier when it’s something
fun to do,” Mrs. FitzPatrick said. “Even though it’s
made for sensory and stimulation, it’s all just good fun
for a kid."